Bar Mitzvah Gift Ideas

Bar mitzvah gift ideas

A bar or bat mitzvah marks a thirteen year old taking on adult responsibility in the Jewish community, so gifts lean towards things that mark the step rather than toys.

Below: traditional gifts, the multiples-of-18 custom, what people spend in the UK and a few lines for the card.

Cards for the day

Blank inside, so you can write mazel tov in your own hand. Printed and posted from the UK. We don't sell Judaica - a specialist will serve you better there.

Illustration of two large pints of stout next to a tiny baby stout with text "Two's a couple, three's a family". Two's A Couple, Three's A Family (Guinness Congrats On The New Baby Card) £3.87 Illustration of a smiling graduate in a cap and gown on a congratulations graduation card for him. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Him £3.87 Graduation card for her featuring a cheerful illustrated character wearing a black graduation cap and gown. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Her £3.87 Practise Your Dad Jokes (Dad To Be New Baby Card) Practise Your Dad Jokes (Dad To Be New Baby Card) £3.87 Future Dad Fuel (Dad To Be New Baby Card) Future Dad Fuel (Dad To Be New Baby Card) £3.87 Cheers M'dears Congratulations Card Cheers M'dears Congratulations Card £3.75

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Traditional gifts

  • Money in multiples of 18 - chai, the Hebrew word for life, has the numerical value 18.
  • Israel Bonds or a savings contribution.
  • Judaica: a kiddush cup, candlesticks, a mezuzah or a tzedakah box.
  • A Jewish book: a chumash, siddur or a good history, inscribed with the date.
  • A donation to a charity in their name, with a card saying so.

Modern gifts

  • A watch - still the classic coming-of-age gift.
  • A quality pen for signing things as an adult would.
  • Concert or match tickets, ideally with you taking them.
  • Headphones, camera gear or something for a hobby they've stuck with.
  • A framed print or keepsake with the date and their Torah portion.

The multiples of 18

  • £18 - a friend or classmate.
  • £36 - a colleague of the parents or a wider friend.
  • £54 to £90 - close friends and wider family.
  • £100 to £180 - close family and grandparents.
  • The number matters more than the total. £36 in a card is a well-understood gift.

What to write in the card

  • Mazel tov on your bar mitzvah.
  • Congratulations on becoming a bar mitzvah - we're so proud of you.
  • You worked hard for today, and it showed. Mazel tov.
  • Wishing you every happiness as you take this step.
  • Mazel tov to the whole family.

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How to write it so it lands

  • Ask the family whether the child is collecting for a specific charity - many are.
  • Hand the card to the parents rather than leaving it on a table.
  • Date anything you have printed or engraved.

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

How much money do you give for a bar mitzvah?

Gifts are traditionally in multiples of 18. £18 from a classmate, £36 from a friend of the family, £54 to £90 from close friends and £100 to £180 from close family.

What is a good bar mitzvah gift?

Money in multiples of 18, Judaica such as a kiddush cup or tzedakah box, an inscribed book, a watch, or a charitable donation in their name.

What do you write in a bar mitzvah card?

"Mazel tov on your bar mitzvah" with a line about how hard they worked, then your full name and the date.

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